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Current Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he never thought he would be offered the chance to manage the club after his disastrous spell as Cardiff City boss.

Appointed in January 2014, the Norwegian resigned after just nine months in charge of the Bluebirds after overseeing a dismal run of form which resulted in the Welsh side suffering relegation from the Premier League.

But after returning to his native homeland following his departure, Solskjaer returned to Molde for a second spell in charge of the club, before receiving a text message from United vice-chairman Ed Woodward asking him to come in on an interim basis following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in Decemeber.

But the Norwegian now looks odds on for the job on a permanent basis after overseeing a swift turnaround in United's fortunes.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Image: (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))

“It has always been in the back of my head that this is the dream job,” Solskjaer told the Norwegian publication VG.

“Of course it is. But after what happened in Cardiff, I did not think that this would happen. But then they have obviously followed me. Ed has done a lot of background research and talked a little with those who know me, who know the club and who I have worked with. Then they took the chance.

“Then I had to be honest with myself. ‘Am I ready? Can I make a difference?’ As a supporter in all those years since moving from here, I’ve been thinking about Manchester United and what I wanted to do myself. And I felt this was something I could have done.”

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In the interview, which was took place on Friday - the day before United were beaten by Wolves in the Emirates FA Cup - the current caretaker spoke about how he was motivated by those who said that he did not have the experience or knowhow for one of the biggest jobs in world football.

“I have always thought that I have to do the best I can, the best job interview I can. It’s my responsibility as manager of United that I do my best. It is not up to me to consider if I live up to the standard, but I feel much more at home in this building, at Old Trafford , with these players, than I have ever done.”

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